OP-ED: Is NRC afraid of what would be revealed about nuclear plant safety?

Forest Remick’s support for nuclear energy (The Mercury Nov. 16) is contradicted by former NRC Chairman Jaczko who has called for the phase-out of U.S. nuclear plants due to their irreparable design flaws (reported March 2013). Jaczko acknowledged that NRC cannot guarantee that U.S. plants will not result in Fukushima-like meltdowns. Serious problems have led to U.S. nuclear plant closings this year. Unlike Remick, Jaczko has the integrity and moral compass to tell the truth.

Remick does not serve public interests. His assertion that global warming is an acceptable excuse to promote dangerous, polluting, and costly nuclear power is irresponsible. Independent research shows that the entire nuclear energy cycle has the largest carbon footprint of any energy source other than fossil fuels.

Fukushima-type nuclear plants like Limerick are in violation of their operating permits due to fatal design flaws. Limerick’s GE Mark II boiling water reactors present unacceptable risks to public health, safety, and the environment during a radiation accident/meltdown. They are guaranteed to become radioactive fire hoses into the sky, destroying the health and lives of millions of people living in our densely populated Greater Philadelphia Region. Over 8 million people live within 50 miles of Limerick. We can’t evacuate safely.

Remick inaccurately says “NRC uses conservative criteria to analyze risks.” FACT: NRC has a documented history of failure to effectively protect public health and safety.

• NRC shamelessly joined Exelon in a legal action to oppose an Updated Severe Accident Mitigation Analysis (SAMA). Is NRC afraid of what would be revealed?

NRC continually sweeps unfixable Limerick structural flaws, serious violations and other threats under the rug, accommodating Exelon’s financial interests while seriously jeopardizing public health and safety. Remick must have failed to review NRC’s quarterly safety evaluations for Limerick, including the most recent dated November 13. NRC’s safety reports reveal that many unresolved issues are compromising safety.

Remick’s false assertion that huge amounts of high-level radioactive wastes in “fuel pools or dry cask storage can easily be contained” is absurd. That spent fuel remains dangerous for at least a million years. He also falsely said, “Even at Fukushima, with a long-term loss of power and active cooling, none of the fuel in the pools suffered damage.” FACT: 80 spent fuel assemblies are damaged. Video footage from a robot revealed new radioactive leaks. Rods now can’t be taken out as planned. When removed, one rod slipping could result in a monumental chain reaction.

The whole world has been endangered by the endless Fukushima catastrophe. After two and a half years, huge amounts of radiation continue to be released. It might get much worse. The highest radiation levels since March 2011 were officially reported July 14, 2013. Water coming out of Fukushima is reported to be 90,000 times more radioactive than “safe” drinking water standards. Massive numbers of fish and sea creatures are dying in the Pacific Ocean. Significant levels of radiation have been detected in most Pacific fish caught and sold in North America. Evidence shows drinking water is as radioactive in Tokyo as in Fukushima. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are threatened.

Unlike Remick, ex-NRC Chariman Jaczko understands how easily a Fukushima-like disaster could happen at Limerick. No Mr. Remick, it is not fear-mongering to reveal the facts. We invite you and other Limerick spin doctors to review ACE’s 89-page Testimony to NRC (June 24) for Limerick’s Environmental Impact Statement and our 2013 letters to NRC Commissioner Borchardt. Contact aceactivists@comcast.net or 610-326-2387. For summary issues: www.acereport.org.